Oct 1, 2025
Is play the missing piece in today’s educational puzzle? That’s the question we wrestled with during a three-part book study I hosted this summer with early educators from across North America. Together, we unpacked key themes from my new book, Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood—and now I’ve pulled the highlights into this one-hour recap just for you.
In this episode, you’ll hear why I wrote the book, the research that shows how play fuels learning and brain development, and the very real risks when we push play aside. You’ll also catch some of the “aha” moments and practical takeaways that came straight from our discussions.
Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or parent, this episode is a reminder of just how powerful play can be—and why it’s worth protecting in every classroom and every childhood.